GoDaddy to Cloudflare DNS Migration
Cloudflare
DNS
SSL/TLS
Cutover
DMARC/SPF/DKIM
Objective: Migrate authoritative DNS from GoDaddy to Cloudflare to centralize DNS management, improve security posture, and simplify ongoing maintenance.
Preparation
- Captured screenshots/exports of existing DNS records for rollback reference.
- Documented A, CNAME, MX, TXT (SPF/DKIM/DMARC), and vendor verification records.
- Identified records requiring DNS-only (mail, SaaS validation, third-party SSL/origin requirements).
- Reduced TTL values ahead of cutover to minimize propagation delays.
Migration Execution
- Imported records using Cloudflare DNS scan/copy and manually validated accuracy.
- Confirmed all records copied correctly except NS records (replaced by Cloudflare nameservers).
- Applied proxying selectively for public web services while keeping sensitive services DNS-only.
- Updated nameservers at registrar and confirmed authoritative DNS cutover.
Issues & Mitigation
- SSL conflicts: Origin hosting may manage certificates (mitigated by DNS-only where needed + correct SSL mode).
- Validation failures: Proxy settings can break SaaS verifications (mitigated by switching impacted records to DNS-only).
- Propagation timing: Regional differences during cutover (mitigated by TTL planning + staged validation).
Post-Migration Validation
- Validated websites/subdomains and confirmed mail flow remained stable.
- Enabled Cloudflare Universal SSL where appropriate and confirmed HTTPS behavior.
- Verified DMARC/SPF/DKIM alignment and rechecked TXT-based verifications.
Technologies: Cloudflare, GoDaddy, DNS, SSL/TLS, DMARC/SPF/DKIM, Proxy vs DNS-only
Microsoft 365 ↔ Google Workspace Calendar Interop (Free/Busy)
Microsoft 365
Identity
OAuth/API
Integration
Interop
Objective: Enable cross-platform Free/Busy availability between Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace tenants to improve scheduling and cross-organization collaboration.
Preparation
- Verified domain ownership and external sharing policies in both tenants.
- Validated Exchange Online org relationship settings and availability configuration.
- Prepared required service account/delegated access settings where applicable.
Implementation
- Configured interoperability settings between Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace.
- Implemented required authentication requirements and API permissions/scopes.
- Mapped domains correctly to ensure Free/Busy queries routed to the correct tenant.
Issues & Mitigation
- Policy restrictions: Sharing scope can block lookups (mitigated by validating org settings + test accounts).
- Scope mismatch: API permissions may not align (mitigated by verifying scopes and delegated access).
- Propagation delay: Changes take time to apply (mitigated with staged testing and rechecks).
Post-Implementation Testing
- Used test accounts to validate Free/Busy lookups in both directions.
- Confirmed external visibility restrictions behaved as intended.
- Validated experience across web/mobile clients where applicable.
Technologies: Microsoft 365, Exchange Online, Google Workspace, Calendar Interop, OAuth/API Permissions
Okta to Microsoft Entra ID SSO Migration
SSO
SAML 2.0
Entra ID
RBAC
Off-hours
Objective: Migrate SSO and identity provisioning from Okta to Microsoft Entra ID to centralize authentication, streamline access management, and align identity with Microsoft 365 infrastructure.
Planning & Preparation
- Captured and documented Okta configuration (apps, groups, provisioning rules, license mappings).
- Created pilot plan and tested with dedicated test accounts to validate authentication and provisioning.
- Scheduled implementation during off-hours to minimize production impact.
- Created internal admin/end-user tutorials and documented rollback approach.
Implementation
- Recreated enterprise applications in Entra ID using gallery apps and custom SAML configurations.
- Configured SAML trust, exchanged IdP metadata, and validated signing certificates.
- Created security groups and assigned apps + license bundles using group-based access.
- Configured provisioning and attribute mappings where supported.
Issues & Mitigation
- Metadata mismatch: SAML endpoints/certs can drift (mitigated by re-exporting metadata + validating ACS/Entity IDs).
- Provisioning failures: Scope and mapping issues (mitigated by reviewing attribute mappings + admin consent).
- Password transition: Passwords typically don’t “move” (mitigated with comms + reset plan if needed).
- Access errors: App roles/assignments can cause 404s (mitigated by role review + scoped testing).
Post-Migration Validation
- Verified login access across migrated apps with Entra ID as primary IdP.
- Confirmed users were correctly federated and pointing to the new IdP.
- Validated group-based access; reviewed sign-in/provisioning logs for stabilization.
Technologies: Okta, Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), SAML 2.0, RBAC, Microsoft 365, Provisioning
Intermedia to Microsoft 365 Email Migration
Microsoft 365
DNS
Staged Cutover
DR Backup
MigrationWiz
Objective: Migrate organizational email from Intermedia to Microsoft 365 to consolidate collaboration tools, improve security controls, and centralize administration.
Planning & Preparation
- Documented mailboxes, groups, licenses, rules, forwarding, signatures, and delegated access.
- Backed up mailboxes using a disaster recovery solution prior to migration.
- Scheduled migration during off-hours and planned staged cutover to reduce risk.
- Selected BitTitan MigrationWiz and validated source/destination readiness.
Migration Execution
- Configured MigrationWiz projects and enabled “Do Not Duplicate Emails” to prevent mailbox inflation.
- Performed staged migrations and rebuilt rules/forwarding/permissions in Microsoft 365 where needed.
- Updated DNS records (MX, SPF, Autodiscover) to route mail flow to Microsoft 365.
Issues & Mitigation
- Rules/forwarding/delegation gaps: Not all rules and delegated access migrate cleanly (mitigated by exporting inventories and rebuilding settings post-cutover).
- Shared mailbox permissions: Send-As/Full Access may require reapplication (mitigated by documenting access models and validating with test users).
- Archive/public folder complexity: Archives/public folders may require separate handling (mitigated by scoping early and using staged pilots).
- Mail flow cutover risk: MX/SPF/Autodiscover timing can cause mixed routing (mitigated with staged DNS changes + monitoring message trace).
- Client reprofiling impact: Outlook may require profile refresh/autodiscover updates (mitigated with user comms + quick support window during cutover).
Post-Migration Validation
- Validated inbound/outbound email and mailbox data integrity.
- Confirmed shared mailbox access, group membership, and forwarding behavior.
- Monitored message trace/delivery reports and provided user support during transition.
Technologies: Intermedia, Microsoft 365, Exchange Online, BitTitan MigrationWiz, DNS (MX/SPF/Autodiscover)
VMware to Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Migration
VMware
Azure
VNet/NSG
RBAC
Cost Estimation
Objective: Migrate on-prem VMware workloads to Microsoft Azure to modernize infrastructure, improve scalability, and strengthen disaster recovery readiness.
Planning & Preparation
- Audited VM inventory, dependencies, OS versions, and workload requirements.
- Outlined Azure services: VMs, networking, backup, monitoring, secure admin access.
- Used Azure Pricing Calculator to estimate costs and right-size workloads.
- Reviewed licensing requirements including Windows Server licensing and CAL considerations.
Migration Strategy & Execution
- Evaluated migration methods (recreate vs snapshot/backup restore workflows).
- Provisioned Azure VMs aligned with workload requirements and segmented networking design.
- Implemented NSGs to restrict admin access and enforce least-privilege network controls.
- Migrated SQL workloads and validated application/database connectivity.
- Configured backup policies for workload protection.
Issues & Mitigation
- Dependency mapping: App/DB/service dependencies can be missed (mitigated via inventory + validation testing and staged moves).
- Networking reachability: NSG/VNet rules can break east-west or admin access (mitigated using explicit allow-lists, test subnets, and documented ports).
- RDP exposure risk: Public RDP is high risk (mitigated with restricted source IPs, jump access patterns, and least-privilege rules).
- Performance/right-sizing: Incorrect VM sizing increases cost or reduces performance (mitigated by baseline metrics + right-size iterations).
- Backup/restore expectations: Recovery testing is often skipped (mitigated by validating restore workflows and documenting RPO/RTO assumptions).
Post-Migration Validation
- Validated connectivity and secure remote administration approach.
- Confirmed database accessibility and application functionality.
- Verified RBAC scope and tested backups/recovery workflows.
Technologies: VMware ESXi/vSphere, Microsoft Azure, Azure VMs, VNet, NSG, Azure Backup, RBAC, PowerShell
On-Prem File Shares to SharePoint Online Migration
SharePoint Online
Cloud Migration
Permissions
Cutover
Data Governance
Objective: Modernize file storage by migrating on-prem file shares to SharePoint Online to improve collaboration, remote access, and governance.
Preparation
- Validated SharePoint information architecture (sites, libraries, folder strategy).
- Cleaned up legacy data (duplicates, stale folders) and confirmed retention requirements.
- Installed SharePoint Migration Tool (SPMT) on a host with access to file shares.
- Mapped access approach (SharePoint groups vs direct permissions) and scoped ownership.
- Reviewed SharePoint constraints (path length, invalid characters, blocked file types).
Migration Execution
- Authenticated to Microsoft 365 using a migration/admin account.
- Selected source file shares and targeted SharePoint destination libraries.
- Validated destination URLs and scoped libraries before execution.
- Executed pilot migrations first, then moved to staged migrations before final cutover.
Issues & Mitigation
- Permission parity: NTFS permissions don’t always map 1:1 (mitigated by standardizing SharePoint groups and inheritance strategy).
- File constraints: Path/character/file-type restrictions (mitigated by pre-scan + remediation of invalid items).
- Large libraries: Performance and structuring concerns (mitigated with staged moves + library design planning).
Post-Migration Validation
- Validated user access and confirmed key content was accessible by the correct roles.
- Confirmed sync and collaboration behavior (versioning, co-authoring) where applicable.
- Documented new access model and provided user guidance for SharePoint/OneDrive usage.
Technologies: SharePoint Online, SPMT, Microsoft 365, Permissions/Groups, Information Architecture
Hybrid Identity + Endpoint Management (Azure AD Connect + Windows/macOS MDM)
Entra ID
Azure AD Connect
Compliance
Health Monitoring
Device Management
Objective: Establish a reliable hybrid identity foundation and standardize device management for Windows and macOS endpoints using Entra ID integration and MDM policies.
Preparation
- Reviewed and organized AD OU structure, groups, and naming conventions.
- Removed/disabled stale accounts and corrected duplicates/conflicting identities.
- Planned sync scope (OU filtering) and required identity attributes.
- Confirmed enrollment strategy for Windows/macOS (corporate vs BYOD, compliance baselines, restrictions).
Integration
- Installed Azure AD Connect on a designated server with appropriate admin roles.
- Configured sign-in method and OU filtering to control sync scope.
- Validated synchronization health and ensured expected objects appeared in Entra ID.
- Aligned endpoint enrollment policies and baseline configuration profiles for Windows and macOS.
Issues & Mitigation
- Attribute conflicts: Duplicate accounts or mismatched attributes (mitigated by cleanup + aligning UPN/proxy addresses).
- Over-syncing: Broad OU selection increases risk (mitigated via tight OU filtering + staged rollout).
- Enrollment friction: Restrictions or OS requirements can block enrollment (mitigated by aligning policies with supported OS versions and enrollment profiles).
Post-Integration Validation
- Verified Azure AD Connect Health status and sync schedules.
- Confirmed sign-in behavior and tested conditional access/compliance where applicable.
- Validated device enrollment results and reporting for Windows/macOS endpoints.
Technologies: Active Directory, Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), Azure AD Connect, Intune MDM, Windows, macOS